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Tough Schedule to Challenge Celtics

Five games in seven days. The Boston Celtics' upcoming schedule is a demanding lineup that includes a pair of back-to-back contests and matchups against postseason contenders. The long haul began Sunday when they traveled to Detroit to take on the new-look Pistons. While it is early in the season for such a lengthy stretch, the Celtics welcome the tough competition.

“Just winning, period [is what matters],” said head coach Doc Rivers prior to the clash with the Pistons. “I don't care who they're against. That establishes you early. We're doing that thus far. This is an amazing week as far as a lot of games and they're all tough teams.”

“It's gonna be awesome,” said Leon Powe. “It's going to be rocking up there. We have to bring our defensive mindsets. They just had a trade and (Allen) Iverson there. It's gonna be a crazy game.”

The intensity of Sunday's game was only heightened by the acquisition of Iverson. It gave the Celtics a first glimpse at what they could potentially face in the playoffs.

Coming into Michigan, the dynamic with Iverson in the fold was still a mystery.

“I'm ready to see what's going to happen,” said Kendrick Perkins. “I'm trying to see if this changes for the good or the bad. We're in the Eastern Conference so I know Chauncey (Billups) was a tough cover. I know he fit that team well so we'll have to see.”

After Sunday night's performance, Boston had its punctuation.

For Rivers, it's too soon to assess the Pistons. He wasn't putting much stock in Iverson's debut and knows they would have been a tough battle even before the trade.

“You can't tell yet. It's too early,” Rivers said. “Obviously Iverson does more with the ball and Chauncey did less with the ball as far as Iverson's a guy who likes to dribble and attack off the dribble where Chauncey did other things. But they're going to be a different team but they're still going to be a great team. They're going to play a little differently but not much. They're already running more so it'll be a change but it won't be that big.”

Even though the Celtics stress the importance of taking the season one game at a time, it is difficult to ignore the string of opponents lurking around the corner. The Celtics will have to overcome the grueling schedule to come out swinging every night. They got out to a slow start on Friday against the Bucks after a three-game road trip and cannot afford to get worn down.

“We've got to do a better job definitely of getting off to better starts,” said Paul Pierce. “The last few games, we've been starting off slow then settling in. But that's up to the starters at the beginning of the games putting ourselves in a hole. And we've got to understand that, especially going out to Detroit and with the teams coming in here next week.”

The Celtics reserves will be critical during this stretch, as Rivers will have to manage the starters' minutes. Glen Davis was recently deemed “phenomenal” by his coach and Powe, Eddie House and Tony Allen have given solid contributions off the bench.

Allen make the biggest impact against the Pistons, putting in 23 points on 11 for 16 shooting from the floor.

“I think the most important thing was that Doc called a meeting with us, everybody on the second unit,” said House. “Basically [to] define our roles, tell everyone what we need to do -- 'We know what you do good. If we take that away from you, how else do you impact the game?' I think everyone took that to heart and started impacting the game in other ways. Leon and Baby setting screens; me getting a couple steals and running the team; TA getting some rebounds, locking up, and getting steals as well. I think everyone just bought into what Doc said and do your job.”

On the upside, the Celtics will play three of the upcoming five games in the comfort of the TD Banknorth Garden. On the downside, every matchup against the Cs this season is a chance for their opponents to upset the defending world champions. But playing through a nonstop postseason calendar is what earned them the title and they are well equipped to play through such a taxing lineup.

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